Forsyth County Criminal Background Check

Forsyth County is one of the most populated counties in North Carolina. The county seat is Winston-Salem, the fifth-largest city in the state. With a large urban center and surrounding suburban areas, Forsyth County maintains extensive public records. Criminal case files, court documents, and arrest data are all available for review. The Clerk of Superior Court, the Sheriff's Office, and the county government each play a role in managing these records. This page covers the key resources for running a background check in Forsyth County.

Forsyth County Sheriff's Office

The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office is a major law enforcement agency in the county. The office covers areas outside of Winston-Salem city limits and manages the county detention center. Deputies handle patrol, arrests, and warrant service across the county. Arrest records from the sheriff's office are public under North Carolina law.

Below is the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office website.

Winston-Salem has its own police department, which handles cases within city limits. Other towns in the county, such as Kernersville and Clemmons, may also have their own police. For a full search, check with the clerk's office where all criminal charges are formally filed.

Background Check at the Clerk of Court

The Forsyth County Clerk of Superior Court manages all court records for the county. Criminal cases, civil filings, and other legal documents are kept here. The courthouse is in downtown Winston-Salem. Walk-in visitors can use self-service terminals to search case records at no cost. Free searches provide a quick view of filed cases but are not certified.

Here is the Forsyth County Clerk of Court page on the NC Courts website.

For a certified search, file Form AOC-CR-314 with a $25 fee. Certified results carry the court seal and serve as official documents. Forsyth County handles a large number of cases each year, so the records here are extensive. The clerk's staff can help with forms and answer questions about the process.

If you visit the courthouse in Winston-Salem, plan to arrive early. Forsyth County sees a lot of foot traffic, and lines can form during peak hours. Bring a valid photo ID and any forms you have filled out in advance. The self-service terminals are in the lobby area, and no appointment is needed. For a certified search, hand your form and fee to the clerk at the window. Staff in Forsyth County deal with a high volume of requests each day, so having your paperwork ready helps speed things up.

North Carolina's eCourts system is being rolled out as a way to search court data online. As more case types become available through the portal, it may offer a faster way to look up Forsyth County records without a trip to the courthouse. Check the NC Courts website for updates on which record types are live.

Note: Forsyth County's high case volume means the courthouse holds one of the larger collections of court records in the state.

Forsyth County Government

The Forsyth County government website is a central resource for county services. It provides links to the sheriff's office, the clerk, and other county departments. You can find office hours, addresses, and phone numbers for all key offices here.

The following image shows the Forsyth County government home page.

The county website also has information on other public services. For background check purposes, the most relevant links are the sheriff and clerk pages. Use the site to confirm hours and locations before visiting in person.

Statewide Criminal History Search

The NC State Bureau of Investigation runs the statewide criminal records database. The SBI was established in 1937 and maintains the Computerized Criminal History file, known as CCH. This file pulls records from law enforcement agencies in all 100 NC counties. A statewide search goes well beyond what a Forsyth County courthouse search can show.

Name-based searches are quick. Fingerprint-based searches use the SAFIS network and are more precise. SAFIS is the Statewide Automated Fingerprint Identification System. It matches prints on file to a specific person. The NC Courts background check page covers both methods, including forms and fees.

Forsyth County borders Davie, Stokes, Guilford, and Davidson counties. Many people in the area cross county lines regularly. A statewide SBI search catches records from any county in North Carolina, making it a smart choice when a local search might miss something.

Free Online Record Lookups

Free state tools can add useful detail to a Forsyth County background check:

• The NC Sex Offender Registry shows registered offenders by name or location
• The NC DPS Offender Search covers current and former state prison inmates
• Self-service terminals at the Forsyth County Courthouse offer free case lookups

The sex offender registry is managed by the SBI and updated as offenders register or move. The DPS offender search includes charges, sentences, and release dates for people in the state prison system. Both tools are free and open to the public. No account is needed.

Note: Online tools cover different data than courthouse records, so using both gives you a fuller picture.

Expunctions in Forsyth County

An expunction removes a criminal record from public view. In Forsyth County, expunged records do not appear in standard courthouse or SBI searches. The NC Courts expunction page outlines the eligibility rules. The filing fee is $175, with possible waivers for dismissed charges.

Legal Aid of North Carolina can assist with the expunction process. Call 1-866-219-5262 for help. They provide free guidance to those who qualify based on income. The NC General Assembly sets the rules for expunctions under state law. Eligibility depends on the charge type, the outcome of the case, and when the offense occurred. These rules have been expanded over time to cover more types of cases.